In a remarkable rebuke, the union representing Broward County Sheriff’s Deputies calls Democrat candidate for governor Andrew Gillum “hostile toward law enforcement” while throwing its support to Republican Ron DeSantis.

“Ron has consistently stood with law enforcement and supported us in our mission to keep communities safe,” said Jeff Bell, President of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association. “His opponent, Andrew Gillum, is hostile toward law enforcement. Gillum has signed on to the Dream Defenders ‘Freedom Pledge’, which promises to ‘divest Florida from prisons and police’ and says that police ‘have no place’ in the justice system and ‘were never meant to protect and serve me and you’. This is a blatant attack on our law enforcement community, an insult to the citizens we work to protect, and dishonors the memory of our fallen officers. Gillum’s positions are offensive to the law enforcement community and are dangerous for our state. I look forward to working with Ron DeSantis as Governor—someone who will stand with us, support us, and work with us to protect our state and make Florida better for every family.”

Gillum’s support of Dream Defenders has been the subject of a TV ad pointing out that organization’s anti-semitic viewpoints and radical agenda – calling police “racist” and supporting the abolition of prisons.

DeSantis welcomed the group’s endorsement from deputies in one of Florida’s largest counties. “I’m proud to receive the endorsement of the Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies Association,” said DeSantis. “I will always stand with the brave men and women of law enforcement. Every day, they put their lives on the line to protect us, and we must do all we can to provide them the support, resources and appreciation they deserve. Thanks, in large part, to their efforts, Florida’s crime is at a 47-year low. As Governor, I look forward to working with the Broward Sheriff’s Office Deputies and law enforcement to build on our state’s success and keep Florida safe.”

Broward County is the second largest county in Florida, behind only Miami-Dade County.